BRITISH citizens living in the Republic should register to vote in next month's referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union, a Fianna Fáil TD has said.
The deadline for British citizens to register is May 16, ahead of the historic vote on June 23.
Fianna Fáil spokesman on foreign affairs, Brendan Smith, said a British exit from the EU would not be in the best interests of the union or the Republic.
"Several reports have outlined the implications that a British exit from the EU would have on Ireland, especially in the areas of trade, travel, tourism and the agri-food sector," he said.
"A Brexit may also affect funding from the EU which has been instrumental in supporting peace initiatives and fostering good relations. Any return to border controls would impact cross-border workers, along with travel and tourism north and south of the border."
Mr Smith said a recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found a British exit from the EU would "have persistent adverse consequences on economic activity in the UK, and would result in negative near-term spillovers elsewhere, particularly in the rest of the EU".
He said since Britain is the Republic's closest neighbour and largest trading partner, the Republic would be affected by a Brexit more than "any other EU state".
